The 2026 Acura MDX

The 2026 Acura MDX is Acura's 3-row flagship, a 7-passenger SUV that carries the brand's largest cabin, its only V6 engines, and its most capable towing. Ed Martin Acura stocks the MDX across its full range, from the well-equipped base model to the 355-horsepower Type S Advance. For families across Central Indiana who want a 3rd row without stepping down in refinement or driving feel, it is the SUV that anchors the lineup above the RDX and ADX. The sections below cover the six trims, both powertrains, the cabin and technology, 3-row space and seating, colors, safety, and ownership.

Trims & Pricing

The MDX spans six trims and a wider price range than any other Acura SUV, climbing from a front-wheel-drive base to the turbocharged Type S Advance. Front-wheel drive is offered on the MDX and Technology trims, while Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is standard from the A-Spec up.

Trim	Drivetrain	Starting MSRP
MDX	FWD or SH-AWD	Low-$50Ks
Technology	FWD or SH-AWD	High-$50Ks
A-Spec	SH-AWD	Low-$60Ks
Advance	SH-AWD	Mid-$60Ks
A-Spec Advance	SH-AWD	High-$60Ks
Type S Advance	SH-AWD	Mid-$70Ks

These are manufacturer's suggested retail price ranges before tax, options, and destination. Final pricing is set at the dealership.

Equipment and engineering separate the trims more than on the smaller Acuras, since the Type S Advance brings a different engine and chassis entirely.

Feature	MDX	Technology	A-Spec	Advance	A-Spec Advance	Type S Advance
Engine	3.5L V6	3.5L V6	3.5L V6	3.5L V6	3.5L V6	3.0L Turbo V6
Wheels	19-in	20-in	20-in	20-in	20-in	21-in
Seat material	Leatherette	Milano leather	Milano + Ultrasuede	Quilted Milano	Quilted Milano + Ultrasuede	Quilted Milano + Ultrasuede
Power front seats	12-way	12-way	12-way	16-way + massage	16-way + massage	16-way + massage
Audio	11-speaker	19-speaker B&O	19-speaker B&O	19-speaker B&O	19-speaker B&O	31-speaker B&O Ultra
Head-Up Display	No	No	No	Standard	Standard	Standard
Surround-view camera	No	No	No	Standard	Standard	Standard

The base MDX is the value of the lineup, with the full V6, a 3rd row, and a panoramic moonroof standard. The Technology trim is the step most buyers want, where the Bang & Olufsen audio and navigation come in. The A-Spec adds sport styling over standard SH-AWD, the Advance turns toward comfort, and the A-Spec Advance combines the two. The Type S Advance stands apart as the performance flagship, the only trim with the turbo V6 and a chassis built around it.

Performance & Powertrains

The MDX is the only Acura SUV built around a V6, offered as a 3.5-liter across most of the lineup and as a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter on the Type S Advance. The standard V6 builds its power higher in the rev range, while the Type S turbo makes far more torque and delivers it much lower.

Specification	Standard V6	Type S Advance
Engine	3.5L V6 (i-VTEC, VCM)	3.0L twin-scroll turbo V6
Horsepower	290 hp @ 6,200 rpm	355 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque	267 lb-ft	354 lb-ft
Transmission	10-speed automatic	10-speed automatic, rev-matching
Drivetrain	FWD or SH-AWD	SH-AWD
Towing	3,500 lbs FWD / 5,000 lbs SH-AWD	5,000 lbs
Fuel economy	19 / 26 / 22 FWD, 19 / 25 / 21 AWD	17 / 21 / 19
Recommended fuel	Premium, 91 octane	Premium, 91 octane

Super Handling All-Wheel Drive uses torque vectoring to move power to the wheels with the most grip, which steadies the MDX in snow and tightens its line through a corner. Underneath, a double-wishbone front suspension sets the flagship apart from the strut front ends on the smaller Acuras, and it is a big reason the MDX feels more agile than its size suggests. The Integrated Dynamics System offers selectable drive modes, including a Snow setting for winter and, on the Type S Advance, a Sport+ mode and a Lift mode that raises ride height by about 50 millimeters for rough surfaces.

When properly equipped with SH-AWD, the MDX tows up to 5,000 pounds, enough for a midsize boat or a loaded utility trailer, with front-wheel-drive models rated at 3,500 pounds. The Type S Advance adds hardware the rest of the range does not get: an adaptive air suspension with auto-leveling, 4-piston Brembo front brakes, an active exhaust valve, and 21-inch wheels.

Interior & Technology

Twin 12.3-inch screens anchor the MDX cabin, pairing a color touchscreen with an HD Precision Cockpit digital instrument display. Connectivity is standard across the lineup, built around Google built-in with a multi-year data plan and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Wi-Fi hotspot, Alexa Built-in, and wireless charging come on every trim as well, and a panoramic moonroof is standard throughout.

Audio is a clear step up through the range, starting with an 11-speaker system and moving to a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup on the Technology trim and above, then a 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen Ultra system on the Type S Advance. Materials climb the same way, from leatherette to perforated and quilted Milano leather with authentic open-pore wood, and the Advance trims add 16-way power front seats with a massage function. Iconic Drive ambient lighting brings 27 selectable cabin themes from the Technology trim up, and a 10.5-inch head-up display arrives on the Advance and above.

Space & Seating

The 3rd row is what defines the MDX. It seats up to 7 across 3 rows, and the removable 2nd-row center seat converts the middle row into captain's chairs, which also clears a path to the back through a one-touch walk-in function. The 3rd row splits 50/50, so the MDX can carry long cargo and rear passengers at the same time.

Measurement	1st Row	2nd Row	3rd Row
Headroom	38.5 in	38.1 in	36.2 in
Legroom	41.6 in	38.5 in	29.1 in
Shoulder room	61.9 in	60.3 in	55.2 in

With 139.1 cubic feet of passenger volume, the cabin is genuinely roomy up front and through the middle row, and the 3rd row works well for kids or for adults on shorter trips. Cargo scales with how the seats are arranged: 16.3 cubic feet sit behind the 3rd row, 39.1 behind the 2nd, and 71.4 behind the 1st, opening to a maximum of 95.0 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. A hidden underfloor bin with a reversible smart lid keeps wet or dirty gear separate from the main load floor.

Colors

The MDX comes in 2 standard exterior colors, Solar Silver Metallic and Canyon River Blue Metallic, at no extra cost. Above them sit 6 premium paints: Majestic Black Pearl, Platinum White Pearl, Performance Red Pearl, Liquid Carbon Metallic, Double Apex Blue Pearl, and Urban Gray Pearl. Interiors range across Ebony, Graystone, Espresso, Red, Parchment, Orchid, and Azurite Blue, accented with brushed aluminum or authentic open-pore wood depending on trim. The widest choice of combinations, including Azurite Blue leather, belongs to the Type S Advance.

Safety

Every MDX includes AcuraWatch, Acura's standard suite of driver-assist and collision-avoidance systems. On the base trim, the standard list covers:

Collision Mitigation Braking with pedestrian detection
Forward Collision Warning
Road Departure Mitigation
Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning
Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
Traffic Sign Recognition
Traffic Jam Assist
Blind Spot Information
Rear Cross Traffic Monitor
Cornering Speed Assist
Auto high-beam headlights

Coverage expands as the trims climb. Low-Speed Braking Control and front and rear parking sensors are standard from the Technology trim, while the Advance and above add a surround-view camera and a head-up warning display. The Type S Advance steps up to AcuraWatch 360, which brings active lane change assist, front cross-traffic warning, and blind-spot steering avoidance. A next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering body structure and a full set of airbags handle crash energy across the lineup.

Ownership

Acura covers the first year or 12,000 miles of scheduled maintenance on every MDX through the Acura Maintenance Program. The V6 is engineered to run about 100,000 miles with no scheduled tune-ups, and the Maintenance Minder system reads actual driving wear to flag service when it is genuinely due rather than on a fixed calendar. AcuraLink connected services include a multi-year trial of remote start, find-my-car, and automatic collision notification.

See the MDX at Ed Martin Acura

With six trims, a choice between the V6 and the turbocharged Type S, and a deep list of colors and equipment, the right MDX is a specific build, and stock turns over regularly at Ed Martin Acura. The fastest way to find yours is to check current availability or tell us the trim and configuration you have in mind. Shoppers weighing the MDX against the smaller RDX or ADX can also compare the full new Acura SUV lineup.

Browse MDX Inventory

Frequently Asked Questions

How many passengers does the Acura MDX seat?

The MDX seats up to 7 across 3 rows. Removing the 2nd-row center seat turns the middle row into captain's chairs and lowers capacity to 6, which also makes the 3rd row easier to reach.

What is the difference between the standard MDX and the Type S Advance?

The standard MDX trims use a 290-hp 3.5-liter V6, while the Type S Advance runs a 355-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The Type S Advance also adds an adaptive air suspension, 4-piston Brembo front brakes, 21-inch wheels, and the 31-speaker Bang & Olufsen Ultra audio system.

Does the Acura MDX come with all-wheel drive?

The MDX and Technology trims come with front-wheel drive and offer Super Handling All-Wheel Drive as an option. SH-AWD is standard on the A-Spec, Advance, A-Spec Advance, and Type S Advance, and its torque vectoring is a real advantage in Indiana winters.

How much can the 2026 Acura MDX tow?

With SH-AWD, the MDX is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, which covers a midsize boat or a loaded trailer. Front-wheel-drive models are rated at 3,500 pounds.

How much does the 2026 Acura MDX cost?

The MDX starts in the low-$50Ks and runs into the mid-$70Ks for the Type S Advance, before tax, options, and destination. Final pricing is set at the dealership. To estimate payments, use our Acura finance center.

Does the Acura MDX require premium fuel?

Yes. Both the 3.5-liter V6 and the Type S turbo are tuned for premium unleaded at 91 octane, so it is worth building into the running cost either way.

Does the Acura MDX have Google built-in?

Yes. Google built-in is standard on every trim, with a multi-year data plan, and works alongside wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the 12.3-inch touchscreen.

Experience the 2026 MDX

Three rows of space and the choice between a smooth V6 and a 355-horsepower Type S are easier to judge from the driver's seat than from a page of numbers. Contact Ed Martin Acura to arrange a test drive, and take a look at what's on special this month.

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